A semester of learning and speaking August 24, 2022
By Grace M (English, Spanish, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/13/2022 to 05/20/2022 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to navigate city life and how to communicate even if I didn't understand everything that was being said to me.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months | 
Review Your Program
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 * Overall educational experience
 Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.  | 
 
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 * Host Country Program Administration
 On-site administration of your program  | 
 Patricia is amazing  | 
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 * Housing:
 How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?  | 
 
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| * Food: | 
 
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 * Social & Cultural Integration:
 How integrated did you feel with the local culture?  | 
 
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 * Health Care:
 How well were health issues addressed during the program?  | 
 
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| * Safety: | 
 
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? | 
Yes
 Middlebury's focus on the language component is unmatched; the students who do this program are interested in learning about the culture and exploring Spanish culture  | 
Finances
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 * Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
 (1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)  | 
 
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 | 
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do a homestay | 
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes | 
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language  | 
 
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate | 
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced | 
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Middlebury 300 level | 
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Take all classes in spanish and speak with employees in spanish | 
Other Program Information
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 * Where did you live?
 Select all that apply  | 
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 * Who did you live with?
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 * Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 | 
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? | 
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| * What could be improved? | 
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Relax- you will improve your spanish; enjoy and don't stress too much about courses | 
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. | 
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. | 
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: | 
Advanced Syntaxis | 
| Course Department: | Spanish | 
| Instructor: | Carmen Cabello | 
| Instruction Language: | Spanish | 
| Comments: | |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | 
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